i like the deal.... i never thought ariza for the cost was a good move. I have been waiting for him to be included in a deal since we signed him. I actually like ariza as a player, just not for this rocket team.

Battier can go back to playing his way and not have to worry about the organization trying to get ariza some minutes.

Lee could fit in a backup role(im not sure if he can play some sf too), but if he can maybe taylor will get some minutes here as well.

i like the deal.... i never thought ariza for the cost was a good move. I have been waiting for him to be included in a deal since we signed him. I actually like ariza as a player, just not for this rocket team.

Battier can go back to playing his way and not have to worry about the organization trying to get ariza some minutes.

Lee could fit in a backup role(im not sure if he can play some sf too), but if he can maybe taylor will get some minutes here as well.

Lee is better suited for the role he is now getting in Houston. I guess it was a financial trade.

I like the trade and all, but I still wanted to see how Ariza would do now that Yao Ming is back. I think the Rockets did this so they could build up Budinger, who might end up starting at the end of the year.

I like the trade and all, but I still wanted to see how Ariza would do now that Yao Ming is back. I think the Rockets did this so they could build up Budinger, who might end up starting at the end of the year.

This.

I too wanted to see how Ariza played alongside Yao Ming. I was sure his going would improve, but I guess Morey wanted to go a different direction.

Another reason why I think Houston made this trade was because we didn't have a defensive minded player at the SG position. Courtney Lee can play some defense [that's what I've heard in the NBA forum, someone confirm this] , that gives Houston another option if Martin is getting abused on the defensive end. I didn't like the trade because I thought Ariza's game would improve once Yao came back, but I'm hoping this trade can work well for Houston.

I think it has more to do wtih the CBA coming up. Morey knew that this would mess them up for at least 3 years in teh CBA is truly going to change like it is rumored. ariza is just not worth the contract that he was getting.

ariza with yao would have been a lot of the same things. ariza is actually best with a running team, so he doesnt sit out like he is a damn shooter or something.

i like ariza as a player but just not for the rockets, and i think adding yao is a negative for a guy like ariza. the ball is going to be slowed down a little with yao around. i am hoping the negative effect on brooks is not similar in my theory.

i hope lee is not the same type of defender as ariza. I got tired of seeing him going for steals just to miss out on the steal then give his man a wide open shot. i hope lee is more conservative and is better at positioning. I do not remember hiom being especially good or bad at defense in the finals run with the magic....and i did not watch any nets games last year.

Ariza would be a much more effective player with Yao back and Kevin Martin there for a full year. He's a much better player when he doesnt have to create his own shot and just play off the ball.

Having said that, he is a role player and thats a lot of money committed to him for 4 more years....especially if he is going to come off the bench. He also isnt a good enough on the ball defender to justify the extra money.

At the end of the Day Courtney Lee is a sufficient replacement for Ariza at a MUCH lower cost.

Houston was gambling that Ariza really figured it out in the playoffs with the Lakers, but it turns out he just got hot. Good move for Houston.

I'm still shaking my head how that trade made any sense for New Orleans. They lose Collison and "dump" Poseys contract (2 years remaining) only to take on a longer just as ugly contract (4 years) in Ariza. Ariza is a decent player, but that certainly wasnt worth losing Collison, a potentail allstar PG with a super cheap contract locked in for 4 years!

the real problem with ariza is that he thought he was a 3 point specialist... if he can lose that thought he will be fine. i htink with yao he would have gotten more 3 point shots. i am glad to see him go.

likewise...i hope kmart will not turn into a spot up shooter playing with yao.

the real problem with ariza is that he thought he was a 3 point specialist... if he can lose that thought he will be fine. i htink with yao he would have gotten more 3 point shots. i am glad to see him go.

likewise...i hope kmart will not turn into a spot up shooter playing with yao.

I doubt that will happen, Kevin Martin is pretty good at drawing a lot fouls. I was surprised at that aspect of his game.

the real problem with ariza is that he thought he was a 3 point specialist... if he can lose that thought he will be fine. i htink with yao he would have gotten more 3 point shots. i am glad to see him go.

likewise...i hope kmart will not turn into a spot up shooter playing with yao.

Like alexthegod said, Ariza is good when he doesn't have to do much, so if you have guys doubling up Yao, he can dish it out to him, same for K-Mart, if he's getting doubled up Ariza would be wide open. I hope all goes well for the Rockets this year!

so who do you think will emerge as the SF in Houston?
do you still think Budinger will ultimately get the call (later in the season)?
seems like everone is getting minutes there right now.

IMO I think Shane Battier will still start at the SF position and I don't think that's changing anytime soon. Budinger is nice but his defense is not up to par with Shane's defense. Baring any injures, I think Shane will remain in the starting line up. Besides, Bundinger provides some scoring off the bench, something Shane can't do. Budinger I think also is more fit to play with the 2nd unit because he can run, and with Lowry as PG he should be able to run the fast break a little more.

Budinger should be the primary SF coming off the bench, C. Lee will probably substitute for Kevin Martin.